Language Learning Styles as predictors of Iranian ESP Learners’Communicative Competence and Communication Apprehension

The main aim of this study was to see if and to what extent language learning styles predicted Iranian ESP learners’ communicative competence and communication apprehension. To this effect, ۲۱۸ ESP learners from four reputable institutes conducting ESP classes were selected through convenience sampling to participate in this study. In this descriptive correlational research, the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-۲۴), Self- Perceived Communication Competence scale (SPCC) and the Grasha-Reichmann Student Learning Style Scale (GRSLSS) were used for data collection. In order to justify the testing of language learning styles’ predictive role, a significant relationship between learning styles, communicative competence and communication apprehension of Iranian ESP learners should be established. Thus, the relationships of the variables were first analyzed using Pearson Product-Moment correlation analyses. Based on the statistical findings, all six learning styles significantly correlated with communication apprehension while four styles, namely independent, avoidant, collaborative and participant had significant correlations with ESP learners’ perceived communication competence. Furthermore, similar to findings in past EFL studies, a significant and negative correlation between communicative competence and communication apprehension was found to be prevalent among ESP learners too. To see if significant predictors of ESL learners’ language learning styles could be identified, both single and multiple linear regression analyses were run. Subsequent results showed that alllanguage learning styles are significant predictors of communicativecompetence. Also, independent learning style made the strongeststatistically significant unique contribution to communicative competencewhile collaborative, avoidant and participant learning styles were the nextones in the queue. However, avoidant, dependent, and competitivelearning styles failed to significantly predict communication apprehensionwhile participant learning style was seen as the best predictor ofcommunication apprehension followed by collaborative and independentstyles.

کلیدواژه ها:

language learning styles ، communicative competence ، communicationapprehension